After their resurgence in recent decades, bed bugs have once again become a fact of life that many fail to avoid. While there aren’t a whole lot of strategies that you can employ at home to keep bed bugs away, some research points to our bed sheets as a place of possible prevention. Do the color of your sheets affect your likelihood to experience a bed bug infestation? Can the color keep bed bugs around longer? Our expert technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, are here to answer these questions and more about preventing bed bugs in San Juan PR.
Do Bed Bugs Like Certain Colors?
In a study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers found that bed bugs tend to gravitate toward red and black-colored objects and avoid white, green, and yellow shades. This discovery aligns with what we do know about bed bugs: they are nocturnal pests that rely on their ability to move discreetly to survive.
If you have red, black, or other dark-colored bed sheets, bed bugs might have a better chance of going undetected for longer. That said, though, a hungry bed bug will hide wherever necessary to find a way to a meal. Given that bed bug infestations start with someone accidentally bringing them into the home in luggage, furniture, or otherwise, bed bugs are forced to adapt to whatever situation they are introduced to. Having lighter-colored sheets will not decrease your chances of bringing home bed bugs.
How to Prevent Bed Bug Infestations
If you want to be proactive about bed bug prevention, you have to do more than switch out your sheets. Here are our technicians’ top tips for avoiding a bed bug infestation in your home in San Juan PR:
Be careful when traveling: Whether you’ve just come back from vacation or you have a student returning for the holidays, be sure to inspect all luggage coming into your home from outside.
Inspect any secondhand items: Thrifting clothes or buying used furniture can quickly start a bed bug infestation in your home. Make sure to double-check that you aren’t purchasing anything with bed bugs living inside in secondhand stores.
Clean and declutter regularly: If you accidentally bring bed bugs inside, you’ll have a better chance of controlling them on your own if your home is clean. Eliminate any hiding places they could take advantage of by clearing out clutter and vacuuming routinely.
Professional Bed Bug Control in San Juan PR
Whether you’re already deep into a bed bug infestation or you’re worried you might have found a few bed bugs, Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, has a plan for you. With a mixture of heat treatments, spot treatments, and preventative measures, our licensed and certified technicians can develop a bed bug control strategy that suits your needs and gets rid of every last bed bug. For a free quote or more information on our services, reach out to our team today!
There’s a reason that Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, has been Puerto Rico’s leader in pest control since 1956. Beyond our commitment to staying ahead of the curve in technology, practice, and environmental sensitivity, we also commit to keeping our patrons pest-free all year long. Our Pestfree365 program is a hit among our most loyal customers. Covering dozens of types of pests around San Juan PR, our technicians have an answer for your infestation. Read on to learn more about our services!
What Kinds of Pests in San Juan Are Covered?
Unfortunately, our climate creates perfect breeding grounds and feeding situations for all sorts of regional pests. With many insects and arachnids’ ability to proliferate quickly and spread their populations wide, it’s crucial to stay on top of DIY pest prevention if you aren’t covered routinely by professional exterminators. If you sign up for Pestfree365, the technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, will be able to handle these pests for you:
We’ve talked to a few members of our Pestfree365 program about their hesitance to sign up for a year-round prevention program. While this is understandable, this perspective often comes from people who haven’t had to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars repairing damage caused by termites, rodents, and more pests that thrive around San Juan PR. Here are a few of the benefits that you will receive after signing up for Pestfree365:
Limitless service calls: Whenever you’re dealing with a pest problem, no matter how big or small, we will be out to help you. Even if you fear for an upcoming pest season, we can come out to your property to help you prepare your home or business properly!
No contract: You are not paying in advance for a year-long, non-refundable service. We have to continue to earn your business with top-tier work and professionalism with every visit.
Professionalism: Speaking of top-tier, every one of the technicians serving your property will be licensed, certified, and trained to the highest standards of the pest control industry.
Termite and bed bug protection: Some pest control companies avoid dealing with these two pests for the simple fact of how difficult they can be to control. We don’t back down from these destructive insects! You’ll receive an annual termite inspection (WDI report) and any necessary bed bug removal treatments.
Year-Round Pest Control in San Juan
If you’re looking to maintain a pristine property free of pests, your best bet is to work with your local pest experts at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating. Our Pestfree365 service is the best in the business for prevention, exclusion, and control of almost 40 local pest species. Contact us today for a free quote!
Fall is once again upon us. Pumpkin spice, homework, packed lunches, fallen leaves, and warm sweaters are all in season. When the weather turns, many different kinds of critters are looking for warmth too.
Pest Control is crucial in an area like Puerto Rico that is home to a number of reptiles, rodents, and insects that can plague home and business owners. Puerto Rico is home to a number of persistent pests that require a good deal of effort to prevent and eradicate. Below are a number of pests you might see in Puerto Rico, along with information on the damage they can cause.
Entomologists from Rentokil Provide their Pest Predictions for 2021
READING, Penn. (Jan. 4, 2021) — As if 2020 didn’t present enough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 could be a banner year for pests around the country.
To help residents prepare for 2021, entomologists from Rentokil used field knowledge and data to provide their predictions for pests in the upcoming year.
1. Rodents, Rodents Everywhere:
With shutdowns across the country, it’s no surprise that rodents are on the rise nationwide. Empty buildings, the scarcity of food and warmer winters have combined to create a rodent apocalypse.
“We’re seeing more rats in urban, suburban and rural settings because of the shutdowns,” said Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist. “Food sources are cut off, and rats are having to travel to scavenge for food. We’ve seen rats out in public during the day, which is highly unusual.”
Warmer winters have also allowed for mice populations to boom in residential areas as it allows for a longer breeding season and there is a lower population loss due to hard freezes.
“Right now is the perfect time to rodent-proof your home,” said Potzler. “Make sure to repair any gaps on the exterior of your home, such as around garage doors, windows or pipes.”
2. Mosquitoes on the Move:
Mosquitoes populations have been increasing over the last few years. Aedes species, which are disease-carrying mosquitoes, are also moving to new areas. These mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Zika virus, among other diseases.
“There is an increase of mosquitoes across the country, but notably on the West Coast, and they are adapting each year,” said Eric Sebring, Associate Certified Entomologist. “We have seen evidence of behavior adaptation, where mosquitoes lay their eggs strategically to hatch throughout the season.”
Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by removing any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water. Also, wear EPA-approved insect repellent while spending time outside.
3. Bed Bugs:
The chatter about bed bugs was quiet in 2020, but that’s not because they have gone away.
“As people begin to travel again, we will start to hear about bed bug infestations,” said Sebring. “Bed bugs can be dormant for several months at a time, so they can emerge when a food source, humans, become available.”
Bed bugs are considered hitchhikers, traveling from place to place on people, luggage, clothing and other personal belongings. Homeowners and businesses such as hotels, colleges, hospitals, senior living facilities, retail stores, and libraries have experienced problems with bed bugs.
If traveling, inspect the bed by pulling back the sheets to examine the mattress. Check your luggage before packing and unpacking, and look for signs of living or dead bugs the size of an apple seed or black fecal smears.
4. More Time Outdoors = More Pests.
From hiking to gardening to dining al fresco, there is no doubt that the pandemic has forced people to spend more time outdoors.
In 2021, we will see the outdoor pest pressures continue:
Ticks: Ticks are responsible for transmitting several diseases, including Lyme disease, to humans and animals. These small insects are found in grassy areas and in the woods, so it is important to inspect yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors. Cover as much skin as possible while outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks. Light-colored clothing will also help any ticks you pick up stand out.
Ants: “As soon as the weather starts to warm up, we will see an increase in ant populations,” said Tom Dobrinska, Board Certified Entomologist. “Most of the ants we are dealing with are odorous house ants. When spending time outside, make sure to clean up any food, water or sugary substances and ensure that your home is free of any holes or cracks for them to enter.”
Stinging Insects: Stinging insects, such as wasps and yellow jackets, emerge at the first sign of warm weather, and as warm weather seasons are getting longer, stinging insects have more time to create issues. Make sure you check for nests early in the spring as they are smaller and get early nest treatment. Make sure to keep windows and doors shut, and secure outside bins so stinging insects are not attracted to the contents.
5. Termites Aren’t Going Anywhere
Termites are a pesky problem, and unfortunately, are not going anywhere. Termites can cause extensive damage to structures, especially homes. As people are moving out of cities during the pandemic to more suburban areas, education about termite protection is key.
“We received more calls for termites this past year than we have in many years,” said Potzler. “It’s important to raise awareness for homeowners now to have proactive protection to keep from costly repairs in the future.”
6. Pests in the News:
There are a few pests that will continue to steal the limelight in 2021.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive pest that has been making its way across the country since it was first introduced from Asia in 2001. Besides its pungent odor, this stink bug has become a nuisance for homeowners as it gathers in large numbers on the sides of houses and buildings and enters through small cracks in the home. “The brown marmorated stink bug is here to stay,” said Dobrinska. “We will continue to see this species emerge in late spring in large numbers.”
The Spotted Lanternfly will continue to wreak havoc across the Northeast and beyond. The invasive pest, first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, is spreading across the Northeast, with New York reporting its first sighting this year. The pest can significantly damage trees and plants.
“The Spotted Lanternfly is becoming a big problem in the Northeast, and it will continue to spread,” said Potzler. “It can be devastating for agriculture and is a nuisance for homeowners.”
The egg masses look like a smear of mud on trees and outside of homes. It’s important to scrape the egg mass off, put it in a bag with rubbing alcohol and throw it away, and then call the state department of agriculture.
The infamous “Murder Hornet,” also known as the Asian giant hornet, grabbed many headlines, causing homeowners to panic trying to decipher the difference between stinging insects in their yards and this aggressive species. The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world, growing up to 3 inches in length. Currently, the Asian giant hornet has only been found in the Pacific Northwest.
“We know that there was one colony found and eliminated in Washington State,” said Sebring. “Unfortunately, if there is one, there will be more.”
While your chances of being stung by an Asian giant hornet are fairly low, the sting can be dangerous as the venom volume is higher, causing more pain. The hives are primarily built underground or in hollows in trees. If you suspect it is an Asian giant hornet or any stinging pests, call your pest management provider to assess the situation as soon as you spot activity.
Fleas and ticks can be dangerous pests in the summertime here in Puerto Rico. They are often brought into the home on pets, or after you’ve gone for a hike or walk in an area with high brush. These two insects are both parasitic, meaning they feed on…
After their resurgence in recent decades, bed bugs have once again become a fact of life that many fail to avoid. While there aren’t a whole lot of strategies that you can employ at home to keep bed bugs away, some research points to our bed sheets as a place of possible prevention. Do the color of your sheets affect your likelihood to experience a bed bug infestation? Can the color keep bed bugs around longer? Our expert technicians at Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, are here to answer these questions and more about preventing bed bugs in San Juan PR.
There’s a reason that Rentokil, formerly Oliver Exterminating, has been Puerto Rico’s leader in pest control since 1956. Beyond our commitment to staying ahead of the curve in technology, practice, and environmental sensitivity, we also commit to keeping our patrons pest-free all year long. Our Pestfree365 program is a hit among our most loyal customers. Covering dozens of types of pests around San Juan PR, our technicians have an answer for your infestation. Read on to learn more about our services!
Entomologists from Rentokil Provide their Pest Predictions for 2021